Pernod Ricard has won a US trademark battle which had threatened its Kentucky Bourbon brand Wild Turkey.

A recent decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the US Patent and Trademark Office denied the application of Dutch company Stichting Lodestar to register the trademark ‘Wile Geese’ for alcoholic beverages.

The Trademark Office found that similarities between the brands would prove confusing to consumers. Pernod noted that the office believed Wild Turkey to be a mark entitled to a broad scope of protection.

“We have vigorously and successfully enforced our trademark rights for the Wild Turkey brand for many years,” said Adam Tracy, intellectual property counsel of Pernod Ricard USA, yesterday (26 April). “We consider this to be a very important decision that will support our enforcement programs for years to come, as infringers continue to take aim at our famous mark.”

The Wild Turkey trademark is owned by Austin, Nichols & Co., a subsidiary of Pernod.